PRAVACHOL

Who is Pravachol for ?

Pravastatin is used with diet changes (restriction of cholesterol and fat intake) to reduce the amount of cholesterol and certain fatty substances in your blood. Accumulation of cholesterol and fats along the walls of your arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis) decreases blood flow and, therefore, the oxygen supply to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. Lowering your blood level of cholesterol and fats may help to prevent heart disease, angina (chest pain), strokes, and heart attacks. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pravastatin blocks an enzyme in the liver called HMG-CoA Reductase, an enzyme that is necessary to make cholesterol. When pravastatin blocks this enzyme, less cholesterol is made, and the liver is more sensitive to remove cholesterol from the blood, thus lowering blood cholesterol levels.

When should I be careful taking Pravachol ?

Before taking pravastatin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pravastatin or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin), cholestyramine (Questran), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), erythromycin, gemfibrozil (Lopid), itraconazole (Sporanox), niacin, and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, or heart disease; a severe infection; low blood pressure; or seizures.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pravastatin, stop taking pravastatin and call your doctor immediately. Pravastatin can harm the fetus.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking pravastatin.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Pravastatin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this drug. Alcohol increases the side effects caused by pravastatin.

Side Effects

Although side effects from pravastatin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• gas
• stomach pain or cramps
• diarrhea
• constipation
• heartburn
• headache
• blurred vision
• dizziness
• rash or itching
• upset stomach

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• muscle pain
• tenderness
• muscle cramps or weakness with or without a fever